From the Guidelines
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in promoting neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and neural growth by serving as a transducer that links antidepressants to neuroplastic changes, resulting in the alleviation of depressive symptoms. According to a recent study published in 2022 1, BDNF is a key player in antidepressant action, promoting synaptic plasticity and neuronal growth. The study highlights that BDNF acts as a biological marker of brain neuroplasticity, and its expression is increased by electroacupuncture, which has been shown to have antidepressant effects.
Some of the key mechanisms by which BDNF promotes neuroplasticity and neural growth include:
- Enhancing adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which is vital for learning and memory
- Strengthening synaptic connections and promoting synaptic plasticity
- Offering protection against oxidative stress, inflammation, and cell death
- Stimulating angiogenesis, which improves blood flow and nutrient delivery to neural tissues
The study also suggests that electroacupuncture can increase the expression of BDNF, leading to improved synaptic plasticity and neuronal growth, which can result in the alleviation of depressive symptoms 1. Overall, the evidence suggests that BDNF is a critical factor in promoting neuroplasticity, neurogenesis, and neural growth, and its expression can be increased by electroacupuncture, making it a potential target for the treatment of depression.
From the Research
Role of BDNF in Neuroplasticity
- Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role in promoting neuroplasticity, as it is involved in the modulation of synaptic plasticity and cognition 2.
- BDNF is also essential for the growth and survival of neurons, and its levels are increased by dietary supplementation with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and exercise 2.
- The activation of BDNF-related signaling pathways, such as Akt and CaMKII, is crucial for the promotion of synaptic plasticity and learning and memory 2.
Role of BDNF in Neurogenesis
- BDNF is also involved in the promotion of neurogenesis, which is the process of generating new neurons in the brain 3.
- Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA, have been shown to enhance adult hippocampal neurogenesis and promote synaptic plasticity by increasing long-term potentiation and modulating synaptic protein expression 3.
- The dentate gyrus, a sub-region of the hippocampus, is implicated in cognition and mood regulation, and is one of the two areas in the mammalian brain where adult neurogenesis occurs 3.
Role of BDNF in Neural Growth
- BDNF is essential for the growth and survival of neurons, and its levels are increased by dietary supplementation with DHA and exercise 2.
- The activation of BDNF-related signaling pathways, such as Akt and CaMKII, is crucial for the promotion of neural growth and survival 2.
- Neuroplasticity, which is the ability of the brain to reorganize and modify its neural connections, is also essential for neural growth and survival, and BDNF plays a crucial role in this process 4, 5, 6.